hi.
i got a 98 2500 ram. 12 valve. 280miles. was real doggy. put plate. (i think 6) better, run cookin oil in summer. still doggy though. just bought 4" exhaust. puttin intomorrow. put in new 75+ injectors.
just reading up on injection pump. should i upgrade ? do i need better than stock fuel pump? bigger turbo?
these are all questions i'm tryingto find out. i don't want 700hp. 300 is plenty for me.
at 2 grand. truck really pushed the smoke. nomnal?
hey, i'm real green as far as diesels go. i'm a motor head with gas.
i'm hoping you diesel heads can help me out. you all sound cool
talk soon with all my tech questions........... if i figure out how to post them..
i'm not a computer nerd either.

 

Well do you have gauges if not id get them before i did anything else to your truck just my. 02

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

Im assuming you mean 280k miles correct? Like 1999stroker says, get gauges first. You need to see what your engine is doing before modding it such as EGT, Boost, Fuel pressure and Trans temp if an Auto. After putting in your new exhaust, work on improving intake such as BHAF or CAI, intake horn. You might wanna start with a fresh fuel filter and air filter. The "dogginess" might be attributed to that. Oh and Welcome to the forum

 

to DB!

Below are some free mods for you.

 

hey guys.
thanks a bunch for your replies. right now we got 28 degree weather up north and my truck is too damn long to fit all in my barn,, so. pump modifications will have to wait till spring/summer. puttin on new exhaust tomorrow though, (old one kinda fell off on its own) .
guess thats a dodge thing..
also gonna get some gages asap.
as for filters. got K&N for air. just replaced canister fuel filter . replaced lift pump this summer. reading a lift pump wont put out enough pressure. getting a gage for that too.
like you all said. need gages first. then modification,, makes sence.
you tube "45 min timing". that looked a bit complicated. considering i know jack **** about these motors. i did see one method of timing where you remove valving from "1 on pump and connect a bleeder tube. bring motor to degree reading for your motor, loosen pump gear, using hand pump. pressurize pump. fuel will flow out tube, then turn motor till it JUST STOPS, then your timed. i know i left out **** but you probably know this method. . i printed all the pages on it. again. can't do much till summer.
ONE THING IS BEHIND MY MIND ,,,,,, when i'm ready to start modifying, pump. how do i know my pump is even good? i'm gonna hate going through all this and find out i got a junk pump. met one guy , told me HIS pump was bad. asked how you know? he really didn't get into it . ( at a local garage, he was heading out, small talk)
ANYHOW, thanks for the input. i guess before i ask any more questions. i got to get gages........ right?
talk soon


---AutoMerged DoublePost---

UN--FREAKIN BELIEVABLE!!!!! i had NO idea an exhaust could make such a difference.before, i couldn't eveb tach up to 2500.. NOW.......... i can tach right up to 3000.. freakin truck pulls... i just step on it, no power break,, and i light up the tires... I can ONLY imagine when i play with the pump in summer. i'm still alittle green on all the tech. names for everything. like the thing on top of injection pump you can modify,,,,,,,,, DAAAA,, i don't know what it's called , or what it really does... YAYA,,, i know,, i gotto do my homework here and read up a bit. it's alot easier to just go to someone nearby and say>" Dude,, what the hell IS this thing and what does it do?", Woish some of you guys lived up this way,, I'd be pickin your brain apart.
IN ANY EVENT.. the truck is running GREAT now. kicked idle down a bit to 700.. it has some smoke commin out of exhaust,,, i cranked that "star" screw adjustment in the "THING" on top of pump. DAAA.... a bit to try to lessin the smoke. jst got in from outside. may adjust it just a tad more.
YOU GUYS AR GREAT! thanks for all the info. and advice.. i'm still working on gages. and where i do my writing on this site..

later

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

NOW I'M CONFUSED. i've seen on youtube, and different sites. about timing your pump. told if you loosen and break free pump gear. this can be achieved,,, yet, i just talked to a local diesel mechanic about his prices to time mine, and/or cost to replace with HP one. HE tells me my pump shaft is KEYED to the gear... yet Diesel Power Mag tells of timing and comes across as shaft ISN'T keyed. as does you tube site you guys sent to me... IS MY SHAFT KEYED OR NOT??? i gave up a mint reman. pump on Ebay, never installed for $300 because it had a "keyway".
i got a 98 ram, 12 valve, p7100 pump. NOT 98.5 .

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

hey also. WITH 4 INCH EXHAUST,, truck is running sweet. by no means a rocket ship. BUT. what a difference. and i DID cut back on the smoke a little bit by turning back the star . now when i chomp on it, at 2500. i get alittle smoke,, and not a crop dusting. now i need that pyro gage to see how time is. this year pullingtrailer, had trouble heating turbo . i now think it was the exhaust all along.

 

I'd really recomend you get the kdp fixed next.(killer dowel pin) If it comes out it can cause minor problems,to ruin the motor,then get the pyro gauge installed.
Don't worry about your fuel pump, You have the p7100,one of the best fuel pumps ever put on a diesel.
Then you should upgrade your governor springs to the 3000 rpm, You've only cracked the surface of the true potential of the 12 valve.
I've got one to and i'm never getting selling it.
oh, and don't worry about a gauge for the lift pump,it's mechanical,not electronic.

 

I have a 98 cummins turbo diesel 12 valve, it's stock I'd like to tune it an get more up an make it black smoke. I'm working with a budget. What can I do to it to make it have more power an black smoke. It has 350k miles an runs like a new one.

 

hey, i know th feeling. i got the same truck.. these guys on this site are GREAT!!! FIRST! i found my problem was the CAT. I removed it, put in a 4" exhaust from ebay, $275 complete. (motor back, with muffler.) my truck came alive. injectors.. 40-60plus HP. again on ebay.. $190.00 .. and i found new fuel plate #6 for $28.. hows that for low budget?
all very easy to do.
everyone is telling me,, #1.... fix KDP.. (i just made the plate to repair problem )

 

I have a straight pipe all the way back, other than that's it's stock, I want it to black smoke any suggestions . Working with a small budget.

 

my next improvement will be gages, fix DRP, and installing new gov. springs.